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<p><SPAN class="panel-title"> So You Want to Write a Novel -- BayCon 2012 </SPAN> <SPAN class="dateline"> 26.05.2012 11.30h </SPAN></p>
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<li class="tags">
Novel
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<li class="tags">
Motivation
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<li class="tags">
Writer's Block
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<li class="tags">
Organization
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</ul>

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<DIV class="intro">
Jay Hartlove teaches a one-hour class on how to stay motivated as a writer. This year, he brings it to BayCon.
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<DIV class="panelists">
<ul>
<li><a href="http://jaywrites.com/">Jay Hartlove</a>
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</li>
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<h3 id="resources">Resources</h3>
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<a href="http://localhost:8080/index.html">Title</a>
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<h3 id="notes">Notes</h3>
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<p><em>How to Stay Motivated As A Writer</em></p>
<p>(Also see handout given at the panel)</p>
<ul>
<li>Writing</li>
<li>Publishing</li>
<li>Marketing</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="i.-writing">I. Writing</h3>
<p>What is your story about? Write <em>one</em> sentence. Have a mission statement: themes, goals, what you are trying to say, and why you are excited about the story. Have a plot summary, about what actually happens.</p>
<p>The 'moral' is the lesson to be learned (not all stories have one).</p>
<p>Also, a <u>conflict synopsis</u> about what stands in the way of the protagonist's achiving the goal.</p>
<p>This analysis is not easy, one can easily have too many things going on.</p>
<p>Does it all fit? Relevance. One story at a time.</p>
<p>Story structure -- record all decisions about the story.</p>
<p>Believable characters</p>
<p>Setting the timeline</p>
<p>Plot: plan it out, or go 'seat of pants'.</p>
<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Philosophy_of_Composition">Poe, Edgar Alan. Philosphy of Composition</a></p>
<p>Staying in control is how to stay motivated.</p>
<p><u><strong>Remain invisible.</strong></u> The words must stand on their own. Must not tempt the reader to ask 'why?'. Don't leave out important details.</p>
<p><u>Getting feedback.</u> Genre matters a lot here. There are conventions on how things unfold.</p>
<p><u>Editing.</u> Learning editing takes as much skill and time as writing.</p>
<h3 id="ii.-publishing">II. Publishing</h3>
<p>How to get through this. You could end up with a 'shelf book'. Plan on the target publisher before you start writing.</p>
<p>Any good book can be a best seller with enough money spent.</p>
<ul>
<li><u>Traditional</u> publishers have the widest reach, but are the hardest way to get published. Agents have become the gatekeepers. This has made agents widely sought-after by writers. Publishers can spend up to $500k on a book.</li>
<li><u>Small Press</u> publishers spend some money. They do editing and art, but no marketing. They are not usually agented. They can spend a few $k on a book.</li>
<li><u>Self-publishing</u> you are in a sea of manuscripts that are self-edited or not edited. The work can be stigmatized. Find reviewers who reviewed books similar to yours.</li>
</ul>
<p>Scarcity -v- Abundance models:</p>
<p>Bookshelf thinking (distribution to bookstores, moving or returing books, stripping) is about scarcity. Amazon and self-publishing is about abundance. Whole new ways of thinking are possible.</p>
<p><u>Your Tools</u> (hook, synopsis, mission statement) are helpful in convincing editors, agents, and publishers.</p>
<p>&quot;If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it enough.&quot; - Albert Einstein</p>
<p>You must answer, &quot;why this book?&quot; to write and be motivated to finish your book.</p>
<p><u>The Pitch</u> or elevator statement, gives clarity of though about the story.</p>
<p><u>Marketing</u> who is your market? Target your demographic.</p>
<p>The Abundance Model gives you time.</p>
<p><u>Reviewers</u> often target more than one genre.</p>
<p>What to expect? Not much.</p>
<p>Creativity and efficiency -- efficiency rises with practice</p>
<p><u>Making the time</u> means giving something up.</p>
<p><u><b><em>Remember Your Inspiration</em></b></u></p>
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